Apology 'needs to be reinforced with action'

The chairwoman of a Stolen Generations advocacy group in Alice Springs insists the Federal Government's apology must be followed with compensation.

Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin announced yesterday that the Government would issue a formal apology to the Stolen Generations at the first sitting of Parliament on February 13.

But Zita Wallace from the Stolen Generations and Families Aboriginal Corporation says the Government's gesture needs to be reinforced with action.

"I hope that it is not empty words," she said.

"I hope that the gates will be left open for us to talk further and maybe way down the track maybe get compensation.

"Or open some avenues where people can apply for compensation by going through the courts."

Ms Wallace is also disappointed more people may not be able to travel to Canberra for the Federal Government's official apology.

Fifteen people from Alice Springs have been awarded funding to travel to Parliament House for the apology.

Ms Wallace says all members of the Stolen Generations should be given the opportunity to take part in such an emotional day.

"We're hoping to tie things up and get as many people down there as possible but if not, then those of us who don't go will just have to watch it on TV and on the news," she said.

But a spokeswoman for Minister Jenny Macklin says the list of attendees is still to be finalised and the Government is still consulting with a range of organisations.

'Rush job'

The Opposition's Indigenous affairs spokesman Tony Abbott has accused the Government of doing a rush job with the formal apology to the Stolen Generations.

The Opposition is refusing to say whether it supports next month's apology, until it knows the exact wording of the statement.

Mr Abbott says the Opposition cannot say sorry until it knows what it is apologising for.

He says the Government has been slack in its approach towards the apology.

"Well I think it's a sign that this is a Government that makes it up as it goes along," he said.

"This is a Government which didn't really have careful plans in place pre-election, and I think this is typical of policy on the run."

Mr Abbott says he does not want to apologise for doing the right thing.

"I'm happy to apologise for the things we have done wrong, but I don't want to apologise or be seen to apologise for a whole lot of things that we have done right."

Opposition leader Brendan Nelson says Australians might expect the Government to concentrate on other matters.

"You do have to ask yourself, with all the volatility in the share markets, with Australian families already paying more in home loans, with recent rises in interest rates, petrol costing more and shopping trolleys getting more expensive to fill, you have to ask yourself whether this is the highest priority of the Australian Parliament," he said.

Parliament address

A Ngambri elder who will be delivering a "welcome to country" at the opening of Parliament, says it will be a wonderful feeling to know that Aboriginal people will be recognised.

Canberra resident Matilda House will make the address at Parliament House on February 12.

At this stage, Ms House says there will be no ceremonial dance as part of the address.

She says she will be welcoming people to the land of her ancestors.

"It's great privilege and honour," she said.

"I know these things get done all over Australia in the territories and states legislative assemblies and parliaments but for the national, the Federal one, I think its just a marvellous thing."